Merrett re-signs with Lions until 2016

A sigh of relief could be heard at the Brisbane Lions on Friday - and not just because Daniel Merrett had re-signed for a further three years.

The Lions toasted Merrett's decision to remain with Brisbane until at least the end of the 2016 season just days after the former vice-captain was omitted from the AFL club's "captain's group".

And they had something else to celebrate when the Gold Coast Suns backflipped and opted to unleash superstar Gary Ablett on Hawthorn rather than the Lions in their NAB Cup first round at Carrara on Saturday night.

Suns coach Guy McKenna said Ablett was in "ripping nick" and looked to at least match his 2012 form which had him in the mix for Brownlow Medal No.2.

As a result, Ablett wants to hit the ground running in the Suns' round robin opener against the Hawks before Saturday night's finale against the Lions.

"It's our first battle for the season so I think it is important the captain plays," McKenna said.

"He did marginally more this pre-season than last. And how was his season last year? It was pretty good.

"We are expecting more of the same again."

McKenna confirmed rising stars Jaeger O'Meara and Jack Martin were in line to tackle both their round robin games.

Like O'Meara last year, 18-year-old Martin can't make his AFL debut until next season due to age restrictions but has been granted permission to take part in the NAB Cup.

"When you look at Jack you would probably shake your head because ...there's not much of him," McKenna said of Martin.

"But he's up for the challenge. He's fearless."

Gold Coast's top draft pick Jesse Lonergan and Hawthorn recruit Tom Murphy are also among their 33-man squad for this weekend.

"What I have seen over our pre-season with our fitness boss Stephen Schwerdt ...I think they are up for the fight," McKenna said.

"We get to play against some fresh meat this weekend. I think the boys are keen to throw their bigger, stronger bodies around."

Meanwhile, Merrett gave the Lions a shot in the arm ahead of this weekend's NAB Cup opener by signing a deal he hopes makes him a "Brisbane player for life".

"I still feel like my best footy is ahead of me and I'm here to help this team get back to the finals," said Merrett who has played 135 AFL games since his 2005 debut.

Merrett, 28, will this weekend boost a Lions line-up without the likes of co-captains Jonathan Brown and Jed Adcock, Simon Black, Matthew Leuenberger and Brent Staker.

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